CBA Launches Small Business Curriculum as Part of Advanced Education Programs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Consumer Bankers Association (CBA) recently launched the newest addition to its banking education curriculum, Talking Business with Small Business (TBWSB) – a curriculum focused on small business cash flow – as part of its Advanced Education programs. The curriculum leverages a tabletop simulation for branch managers to better understand the unique cash flow cycles of small businesses to help them gain the confidence and clarity to better connect with business clients.
CBA Senior Vice President and Director of Executive Education Tom Dent shared the following about the impact of this new program:
"During my time in banking – much of it in the small business space – one of the biggest ongoing challenges was ensuring branch managers had the knowledge to talk confidently with business customers. TBWSB elevates their understanding to a new level, clarifying the business cash flow cycle and providing deeper insights into how to plan for, and execute, conversations with those business owners."
In February, the Education team joined bank branch managers at Atlantic Union Bank to launch and work through the curriculum over two days. Here are the highlights:
Participants in the curriculum complete pre-classroom work including discussions with their managers, self-directed education on bank products, and collaboration with existing small business clients to determine trends and challenges they may need to prepare for.
The business simulation covers two years of a small business cycle, with a focus on cash flow management.
“The biggest takeaway for me really is just having my eyes on the overall management, cashflow, seeing where money comes in, money goes out, and those areas of support that might be needed in between,” says Atlantic Union Bank Branch Manager Cierra Partlow.
A small group exercise follows the simulation, where bankers focus on how to address the cash flow challenges small businesses face every day, and what bank products and services can help address these challenges, thus reducing customer costs and increasing revenue.
Mary Barry, another Atlantic Union Bank Branch Manager, described the curriculum as “enriching.”
“It’s enriching – the knowledge that I’m going to have to be able to communicate to my clients about their small business. Having this simulation activity helps me understand the flow of the money throughout their business, through their inventory, cost of goods, and sales.”
The combination of a lecture, small group work, and discussion helps bankers better understand cash flow scenarios and determine the right loans and support needed for every type of small business client.
About the Program
CBA has partnered with the developer of Talking Business with Small Business – Clarity Advantage – to bring this curriculum to CBA member institutions to help their bankers gain new skills to best meet the needs of their small business customers.
Dive Deeper
- To learn more about CBA’s Education offerings, click HERE.
